Defenses are giving Vladimir Putin too much space. Or maybe the Russian President is just that good at hockey?

Putin's "Hockey Legends" squad beat the Night Hockey League 17-6 in an exhibition match at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi with the president scoring seven goals. That's according to the Russian News Agency, so the possibility exists that this falls under the heading of fake news.

The 64-year-old left-handed shooter seems to have a slick … shot. (We’ll leave it at that.) His skating style is a bit slow and rigid. And he seems to have a little trouble puck-handling. (Maybe he should focus on putting two hands on the stick?) He also seems to have this ability to back off defenders as he less than gracefully makes his way to the net.

USA TODAY Sports' scouting guru, Kyle Woodlief, provided the following scouting report on Vladimir Putin’s hockey abilities. Keep in mind that he wrote this knowing that he has to go to Russia twice next season to cover major tournaments, including the World U-18 Championships next April.

"He skates fine in a straight line, but his turning radius exhibits all the grace of a 500 foot-long Russian battleship," Woodlief said. "He must be well known in Russian hockey circles for having Gordie Howe’s well-educated elbows, because everybody seems to give him a wide berth – he certainly knows how to make room for himself.

"As for the other aspects of his game depicted in the video, well ... let’s just say his wrist shot is a little weak.”